Survey aims to make bicycling safer

Friday

May 2, 2014 at 6:03 PM

By Jill BlockA respondent to the Healthy Concord Bike and Road Safety survey asked, "Are stop signs for bicycles?" Whether this was a serious question or a bit of sarcasm, it tells us that there’s a need to get information out to the community on just what are the rules of the road that govern bicycles.To learn more specifically about the experience of bicycling in Concord, including who is riding, where there are hazards, and knowledge of road rules, Healthy Concord recently conducted a survey that was distributed to Boston-area bike clubs and bicycle shops, and promoted through local media. Over 700 people responded.To understand how hazardous biking is locally, we asked "If you have been in an accident or another type of incident while bicycling in Concord, did you report it to the police?" Of the 184 people who said yes to this question, only 9 percent said that they had reported it. It is important that the police are informed of problems, big or small, so that responses can be developed.We also asked bicyclists to tell us which roads they enjoy riding on and which they find most hazardous, the types of safety improvements they’d like to see, and where they’d like bike racks installed. This information will be shared with town departments such as planning, public works, public safety, and natural resources, to be considered as infrastructure and safety projects are developed and implemented. Not surprisingly people want bike racks in commercial districts and near the train stations. Crossing Route 2 and navigating Concord Center are considered challenging, and bicyclists love riding on Lowell Road, Monument Street and Strawberry Hill Road, the latter also being considered one of the most dangerous roads to ride.Understanding the following Rules of the Road can help reduce the number of accidents and tensions that arise between cars and bicyclists. Please remember that the responsibility for safer roads lies with all users.1. Motorists must maintain at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicycle. Three feet is a good rule of thumb. Massachusetts’s law requires that drivers "shall drive a safe distance to the left" of all vehicles, including bicycles, when passing. SUV and truck drivers, please remember that your mirrors stick out farther and are at the same height as a bicyclist’s head!2. It is illegal for bicyclist to ride against traffic. Bicycles are considered vehicles and are expected to follow all rules of the road. Ride in the direction of traffic. Stay off sidewalks in business districts. Stop for all red lights and stop signs. When there are traffic signals, wait for the green light.3. Bicyclists may travel in the center of the road when the road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride side by side. Bicyclists should "take the lane" when it is unsafe for them to ride on the shoulder. This is common on narrow winding roads as well as in downtown areas. In addition, bicyclists are permitted to ride two abreast (two bicycles, side-by-side). Bicyclists have the same rights as drivers to use the entire lane when needed. However, bicyclists must be courteous and assist faster vehicles to pass.4. Bicyclists can ride on all roads, except where restricted. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 85 Section 11B states "Every person operating a bicycle upon a way, as defined in section one of chapter ninety, shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted, and shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth".5. Cars must yield to bicyclists when turning. Motorists are already required to yield to all oncoming vehicles (including bicycles) before turning left. The law now expressly includes yielding to bicyclists riding to the right of other traffic (e.g., on the shoulder), an area where bicyclists are legally permitted but where they may be more difficult for motorists to see.. Motorists are now prohibited from making abrupt right turns at intersections and driveways after passing a cyclist.Bicycles share responsibility for their safety and behaviors on the roads, and are governed by the following Massachusetts laws:Obey all traffic laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.Use hand signals to let people know you plan stop or turn.Allow pedestrians the right of way.Give pedestrians an audible signal before overtaking or passing them.Ride astride a regular, permanent seat that is attached to your bicycle.Keep one hand on your handlebars at all times.Wear a helmet that meets ANSI requirements on any bike, anywhere, at all times if you are 16 years old or younger. The helmet must fit your head and the chin strap must be fastened.Use a headlight and taillight if you are riding anytime from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise.Wear reflectors on both ankles if there are no reflectors on your pedals.Notify the police of any accident involving personal injury or property damage over $100.More and more people are recognizing the health and environmental benefits of bicycling, and until our roads are redesigned to accommodate this demand, it is critical that motorists and bicyclists remain alert, respectful, and compliant with these laws. You can learn more about road and bicycle safety on Sunday, May 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. in Monument Square, where we’ll have more information, in honor of Bay State Bike Week.Jill Block is a consultant to the Town of Concord Health Department, coordinating the Healthy Concord initiative, and is a Concord resident.